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Tim McManus, ESPN Staff Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas — Just when it looked like the Philadelphia Eagles defense was melting down, it came up with a huge play to pull within striking distance of the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night.
Quarterback Dak Prescott fumbled as he was hit by Fletcher Cox on 3rd-and-10 early in the third quarter, and rookie Jalen Carter scooped it up and rumbled 42 yards for a touchdown to narrow the gap to 24-13.
The VET and ROOK making PLAYS @fcoxx_91 x @breadmanjalen pic.twitter.com/qomD2pRXkU
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 11, 2023
It was the Eagles’ second defensive touchdown this season, with the other being a Darius Slay pick-six in Week 1 against the New England Patriots. Philadelphia has struggled generating takeaways, as they entered the game tied for 27th in that category with 14. But Carter, a top candidate for Rookie Defensive Player of the Year, came up with a big one.
The Eagles’ defense had yielded points on 10 of its last 11 series before stopping the Cowboys on back-to-back possessions to open the second half.